Category: Uncategorized

That’s a wrap – Goodbye 2018

I can’t believe it is almost the end of 2018. Where did the time go? I thought my biggest challenge would be sticking to the Ready to Wear Challenge, hosted by Goodbye Valentino. Well it wasn’t, my biggest challenge was blog writing. I feel as though I have hit a wall, when it comes to coming up with content to write. I have been doing some research and looked at a few online blog content websites to help me out. I think I got it now.

I am a member of a local blogging community here in Sacramento, Ca, called the Blog Bloc. The Blog Bloc holds monthly mixers and events related to blogging. Although I was unable to attend all the events in 2018, busy training for Marathons, I did catch one that has helped me with my blog writing. The November Mixer: Content Planning Workshop with Melissa Camilleri was awesome. Lots of ideas on where to get blog topics, monthly planning, and so much more. So with that said, I will be incorporating all the things I have learned into my blog posts starting January 2019. Including a monthly schedule of photos on location. That part makes me excited.

A lot has happened in 2018, a lot of SEWING!!! I was so proud of all the finished projects that I was able to accomplish. How did I get so many done? I made time. Sewing has become like my second job, but in a fun way. I do love my day job too.

Some projects were hard to finish and lay in the Unfinished Object (UFO) basket, I do plan on going back to those projects in the summer, as most of them are summer garments.

Here is my collection from 2018. (Lots of pictures)

I was also the proud 3rd place winner of the Fabric Mart photo challenge this summer. You can read the blog post here. I love a good Instagram challenge, it keeps me on my toes and more often than enough it makes me remember what I want to do for my next project. My prize for winning the challenge was 2 patterns of my choice, which I still have on my to do list.

The last few projects I have on my sewing table right now are PJ’s and a coat. I am working slowly on the coat with it being my first fully lined coat, I want to be sure to go at my own pace. No need to rush it and have to take it apart.

I am making several pairs of PJ’s and lounge wear tops for the next month or so. One can never have too many PJ’s. I have them all cut out and ready to sew. Hopefully I will get them done in the next few days or so.

Bye for now, time to go Sew Something!!!

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New Look 6301 Misses’ Wrap Dress

When I purchased this pattern last year, I purchased it to make either View C or D. Never would I have thought that I would wear a circle skirt styled dress. The dresses I make and the ready to wear ones that I have purchased in the past typically are bodycon style. Well I made View A, thinking outside the box, and trying something new, well I ABSOLUTELY love this dress.

I had a hard time getting pictures taken tonight, I usually take them outside using my tripod with my camera, but it was dark when I arrived home and I didn’t want to be outside in the dark by myself. SO I grabbed my camera and the tripod and set it up in my dining room, well the tripod connector that holds the camera in place broke right off. Didn’t let that stop me, I placed the camera on the bookshelf and it worked. Next time I wear this dress I will be sure to get some photos outside in the light.

While making this dress last night to wear to work today, I took photos of the steps as I constructed it. I discovered that this pattern would also make a great wrap top. One girl can never have too many tops. One alteration I made was that I sewed down the front where the two bodices meet as I didn’t want to have to keep readjusting the opening when I decided to do that I turned under the neckband and stitched it down.

The fabric I used is from Fabric.com, unfortunately this print is no longer available. If my mind serves me right, I paid $3.00 per yard and I used every single scrap of it on this dress, it was just enough.

I do plan on making another dress in View A and then View C and D as well. I already have the fabric selected. I posed the question on my Instagram Account and also in a few of the Facebook Sewing groups as to which fabric I should use and the top answer was #2, which is the one I made here and then a lot of the responses, was Make them all. The one response that stuck out was make them all, as each fabric would give the same dress, a different look. Who doesn’t want a new dress to wear every week?

Options 1, 2, and 3

Bye for now, time to go Sew Something!!!

Little Black Dress McCall’s 7833

McCall’s 7833, this dress is EVERYTHING. I know I say I love all my dresses, but this one has stolen my heart. There are 4 variations of this dress on the pattern. View A is a short sleeved short dress, View B is a long sleeved short dress, View C is a long sleeve long dress, and View D is a sleeveless long dress with a thigh high split. I will be making View D next in Red of course.

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I made view A for my dress. With me being short, I went for the short version, this way I didn’t have to spend much time on alterations to the length. I was happy with the results. The fabric choices for this pattern are Two-way Stretch Knits (50% Cross Grain): Velvet, Jersey, Interlock, and Rayon Spandex. I used a Black Velvet fabric from Hobby Lobby that can be found Here. With the Holidays fast approaching, I thought it was fitting to make it in Velvet. I made a size 12 and it fits just the way I imagined it in my head, now to find somewhere to wear it. Who’s having a party? Can I get an invite?

#M7833
McCall’s 7833

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I paired the this dress with Red accessories, lips included. Shoes are Jessica Simpson, worn only for the sake of these photos.

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Handbag $8.99 at Burlington Factory. The jewelry I am wearing was a Christmas gift from my Granny Sammie about 3 or 4 years ago, it is priceless. My Granny has always had style and class. I learned from some of the best women on how to be classy without showing too much. I come from a family of strong women.

 

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Bye for now, time to go Sew Something!!!

 

Fabric Mart Photo Challenge a Day

Hello Hello,

 

I recently participated in the Fabric Mart Photo Challenge a Day as a way to get back into my sewing hobby, well I won the 3rd place prize today. My prize was 2 free patterns from  The Fabric Mart Store. Yay! I selected 2 of the Closet Case Patterns – Ginger Skinny Jeans and Nettie Dress and Bodysuit. I can definitely use both in my wardrobe.

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Doing this challenge made me realize what I love about sewing, what I want to do next, and what I want to do next. The Photo Challenge had a different prompt each day, some I had photos for already and some really made me think about what that prompt meant. Below you will find some my favorite prompts.

 

Day 1: This is me (Selfie)

That’s me Riesha. I work a regular job for the State of California, I am a runner and fitness junkie, and I LOVE to sew.

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Day 7: Early Make eb05649c-7413-4fd8-96c9-7dbee1e2ae70-2

 

Day 15: Tried and True

I love, love, love this pattern. Did I say how much I love this pattern. Simplicity 8379

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Day 16: My Style

Maxi Dress all day long is my style. I love a good Maxi Dress

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Day 21: Next

I have so many projects that I want to complete and hoping I can get to them in the next few weeks. I have so much planned between now and the end of October that I will be squeezing in as much time in my Sewing Studio as possible. Here are a few of what I have pulled out so far and I know the list will change.

 

Thanks Fabric Mart for having such a fun photo challenge. I look forward to other challenges you may have in the future.

Bye for now, time to go Sew Something!!!

 

McCall’s 6700 Misses’ Dress and Belt

I fell in love with the flowing photo on this envelope packet a few years back. I have had this pattern which seems like forever and finally I cut it, it sat for about 2 weeks, as I searched my stash for the perfect fabric. I shop my stash a lot, it’s a large stash and I am trying my best to sew it down. So far it’s working.  I think because it doesn’t all fit in my sewing space anymore.

 

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I did have to adjust the bodice, so that there wouldn’t be any accidents of anything falling out the front. Overall I love the outcome. I did not add the shoulder ties or the back neck tie. It would have been easy to add bought, but it was a personal choice for me. img_5951

Pattern Description: Misses’ Dresses and Belt

Pattern Size: 8-16

Did it look like the photo on the envelope? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow: Yes

What did you like or dislike about the pattern: I liked that it was easy to follow and the dress fit.

Fabric Used: ITY Tie Dye Knit from Michael Levine’s in Los Angeles, CA

Pattern Alterations: I did not add the shoulder or the back neck tie, personal choice, and I had to cut off 4″ from the length. As you can see I am not very tall.

Would you make this again? Yes, I plan to in a solid color.

Would you recommend this pattern to others to sew? Yes

Conclusion: A great pattern for such a simple, but classy maxi.

McCall’s 6700 Front
McCall’s 6700 Back